SECRETS TO SUCCESSFUL STUDYING (GRADE 8 TO POST-MATRIC)
1. INTRODUCTION
Appendix A: Diagnostic Questionnaire
2. LIFE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS
2.1 Introductory Remarks
2.2 Developing Life Skills That Ensure Success
i. Attitude
ii. Health
iii. Relationships
iv. Money Management
v. Rights and Responsibilities
vi. Managing Stress
vii. Motivation
viii. Goal Setting
ix. Positive Thinking
x. Perseverance
xi. Self-Confidence
xii. Powers of Concentration
2.3 Concluding Comments
Exercise 1
3. TIME MANAGEMENT
3.1 Introductory Remarks
3.2 How are You Currently Using Your Time?
3.3 Steps You can Take to Manage Your Time More Effectively
i. Draw Up a Plan of Action
ii. Complete a ‘To Do' List
iii. Make a Study Schedule
iv. Organize Your Study Environment
v. Control Extra-Curricular Activities
vi. Eradicate Procrastination
3.4 Concluding Comments
Appendix B: Sample of a Schedule
Exercise 2
4. NOTE WRITING SKILLS
4.1 Introductory Remarks
4.2 The Advantages of Learning From Your Own Notes
4.3 The Dangers of Learning Directly From Textbooks
4.4 Why Write Notes
4.5 What Your Notes Should Contain
4.6 At What Stage do You Actually Start Writing Notes?
4.7 Points to Bear in Mind When Writing Notes
4.8 Keywords
Exercise 3
4.8 Formats in Writing Notes
i. Summary
ii. The Outline Method
4.9 Concluding Comments
Appendix C: Abstract Example of the Outline Method
Appendix D: Concrete Example of the Outline Method
Appendix E: Common Abbreviations and Symbols
Exercise 4
5. MEMORY TECHNIQUES
5.1 Introductory Remarks
5.2 The Dangers of Learning ‘by Heart'
5.3 The Memorizing Process
5.4 Factors That Enhance the Memorizing Process
5.5 Memory Aids or Joggers or Triggers
i. Visualization
ii. Association
iii. Mnemonics
iv. Pegs
v. Mind Mapping
5.6 Summary of the Learning Process
5.7 Concluding Comments
Appendix F: Example of Mind Mapping: Tree
Appendix G: Example of Mind Mapping: Bubble
Appendix H: Using Memory Aids to Remember Meanings of Words
Appendix I: Using Memory Aids to Recall Labels of a Diagram
Appendix J: Grouping Exercise
Exercise 5
6. METHODS OF ASSESSMENT (EXAM TECHNIQUES)
6.1 Introductory Remarks
6.2 Formal Examinations as a Method of Assessment
i. Preparing for Formal Examinations
ii. Writing Formal Examinations
iii. Formats of Formal Examinations (Essay, Multiple-Choice, Problem-Solving, Oral and Open Book Examinations)
6.3 Two Other Popular Methods of Assessment
i. Case Study
ii. Portfolio of Evidence
6.4 Concluding Comments
Appendix K: Common Keywords Used in Essay Questions
Appendix L: Template of a Portfolio of Evidence
Exercise 6
7. READING SKILLS
7.1 Introductory Remarks
Exercise 7
7.2 Principal Causes of Poor or No Comprehension
i. Lack/Loss of Concentration
ii. Slow Rate of Reading
iii. Poor Vocabulary
iv. Inadequate Prior Knowledge
7.3 Basic Structure of a Text
7.4 Kinds of Comprehension
i. Literal Comprehension
ii. Critical Comprehension
iii. Aesthetic Comprehension
7.5 Different Ways of Reading
i. Skimming
ii. Scanning
iii. Speed Reading
Exercises 8 - 17
7.6 Extracting the Maximum From Written Material
i. Survey
ii. Question
iii. Read
iv. Recall
v. Review
7.7 Concluding Comments
Appendix M: Prefixes
Appendix N: Suffixes
Appendix O: Greek/Latin Root Words
Appendix P: Common Foreign Words and Phrases
Appendix Q: Using a Library
Appendix R: Use of a Dictionary
Appendix S: Some Words That You Should Know at Tertiary Level
Appendix T: Words and Phrases That Qualify Meanings of Sentences
Exercise 18
8. WRITING AND RESEARCH SKILLS
8.1 Introductory Remarks
8.2 Basic Framework of Every Essay or Research Project
i. Introduction
ii. Body
iii. Conclusion
8.3 Steps to be Followed in Essay Writing
i. Analysis
ii. Research
iii. Read
iv. Planning and Producing the Outline
v. Writing the Introduction and Conclusion
vi. Producing the First Draft
vii. Producing Subsequent Drafts
viii. Editing the paper
ix. Table of contents, footnotes and bibliography
x. Print or Neatly Write the Final paper
8.4 Research Projects
i. General Observations
ii. The Anatomy of a Research Project
8.5 Concluding Comments
Appendix U: Citation and Referencing
Appendix V: Example of a Bibliography Card
Appendix W: Example of a Format of a Thesis or Research Project
Appendix X: Schedule for Analysing and Interpreting Data
Appendix Y: Alternatives to the Words ‘Said' and ‘Told'
Exercise 19
9. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
9.1 Introductory Remarks
9.2 The Process
9.3 The Medium
9.4 Effective Communication
i. What Communication Must Achieve in Order to be Effective
ii. How to Ensure Effective Communication
9.5 Responsibility to Communicate
9.6 Oral Communication Skills – Listening Skills
i. Suggestions to Enhance your Listening Skills
ii. Extracting the Maximum from Lessons/Lectures
9.7 Oral Communication Skills – Speaking Skills
9.7.1 The Four Main Aims of Public Speaking
9.7.2 Preparing and Delivering Your Speech
i. Planning your Speech
ii. Writing your Speech
iii. Practising your Speech
iv. Making or Delivering your Speech
v. Answering Questions
9.8 Concluding Comments
Appendix Z: Verbal Signals or Clues
Exercise 20
10. LOGICAL THINKING SKILLS
10.1 Introductory Remarks
10.2 What is Logic?
10.3 Some Basic Concepts in Logic
i. Argument, Subargument and Nonargument
ii. Premiss and Conclusion
iii Inference
iv. Syllogism
Exercise 21
10.4 Different Kinds of Arguments
i. Deductive Argument
ii. Inductive Argument
10.5 Relevance of Factual Truth or Factual Falsity to Logic
Exercise 22
10.6 Evaluating Arguments
i. Evaluating a Deductive Argument
ii. Evaluating an Inductive Argument
Exercises 23 - 24
10.7 Fallacies
i. Some Well-Known Fallacies
10.8 Special Notes
10.9 Concluding Comments
Exercise 25
Appendix AA: Fun With Logic: Puzzles and Riddles
11. LATERAL THINKING SKILLS
11.1 Introductory Remarks
11.2 Tools that Promote Lateral Thinking Skills
i. Plus, Minus and Interest (PMI)
ii. Consider All Factors (CAF)
iii. Alternatives, Possibilities and Choices (APC)
iv. Aims, Goals and Objectives (AGO)
v. Consequences & Sequels (C&S)
vi. Other People's Views (OPV)
vii. First Important Priorities (FIP)
viii. Planning
Exercises 26 - 34
11.3 Problem-Solving Techniques
Exercise 35 12. CONCLUSION |
